Asukabook InDesign® Tool


The AsukaBook InDesign Tool (ABID) has been created to offer an additional alternative AsukaBook design option and a more efficient workflow to design layouts for an AsukaBook in Adobe® InDesign. It integrates seemlessly in InDesign and allows you to simply setup a book layout, create and use custom templates, automatically layout a proof book, resize a design instantly, and finally generate a PDF for an AsukaBook Order.

Please click HERE to download the Tool.

After downloading, please follow the steps below for assistance in installing and using the Tool. We will have more tips, tricks and tutorials soon. Until then, have fun exploring the options on your own!

Install ASUKABOOK InDesign Tool

  1. Open InDesign.
  2. Go to Window > Automation (CS4) or Utilities (CS5) > Scripts.
  3. Click 'Scripts.'
  4. Right-click 'User' and select 'Reveal in Finder.'
  5. Open the folder named “ABID_ver1.0.1” found in the ABID download.
  6. Copy the contents of that folder into the "Scripts Panel" folder.
  7. Close the Finder windows.
  8. In the InDesign Scripts Panel click on the triangle next to 'User' or double-click 'User.'
  9. Double-click ABID.jsx or Right-click ABID.jsx and select 'Run Script.'
  10. Review all of the terms. Click 'Agree' if you would like to continue to use the application.
  11. You can now use the floating ABID Options window to assist you in creating a file for AsukaBook!
       

New Blank Templates

  1. Click 'New Blank Templates' in the ABID Options window.
  2. In the Book Selection window, select the Type of Book, Book Size, Page Finish and Number of Sides.
  3. Click 'OK.'  
  4. Choose a folder to save the InDesign templates in and click 'Choose.' (We recommend creating a new folder for each book design.)  
  5. The templates will generate. Click 'OK' in the dialox box that tells you they have done so successfully.  
  6. Two or three (depending on book type) InDesign AsukaBook template files have been created. Design freely within these file. (Be sure to save often when designing.)  
  7. If a barcode warning layer is displayed on a template (depending on book type), it is important to remove this layer so it is not printed on your book.  
  8. Once your design is complete. Save and close the template files.  
  9. If you would like to create a PDF for an AsukaBook order, please see File Checker.  
       

File Checker

  1. To create a PDF for an AsukaBook once you have created and saved designed templates, click 'File Checker.'
  2. In the ABID File window, click 'Browse' to select a book file.
  3. Select a book file and then click 'Open.'  
  4. A dialog warning box will appear letting you know that the process could take a few minutes, click 'OK' if you would like to proceed.  
  5. Open the same version of Photoshop® and Bridge® (CS4 only) as the InDesign version you have used to create the book design files.  
  6. Please wait patiently while the JPEG files are generated.  
  7. When the process has finished, the File Checker window will appear. Please ensure all details are correct, select desired options from active drop-down menus and enter information in blank fields such as Hot Stamp Text if applicable and Client Reference.  
  8. Click 'OK.'  
  9. When prompted, please enter a filename, select a location to save to and click 'Save.'  
  10. When the process has finished, a dialog box will appear letting you know a PDF was created successfully. Click 'OK!'  
       

Layout Templates

You can use one of the few preset layout templates or create and save your own custom layout templates. We will have an informative tutorial soon with tricks and tips on how to use this feature. Until then, please try this feature on your own and get creative.

Proof Book

  1. To create an automated proof book in a few quick and simple steps, first click on 'Proof Book.'
  2. Click 'Browse,' click on a folder of images you would like to use and click 'Choose.'
  3. Select the number of images per side from the drop-down menu.  
  4. The Proof Book Options will update based on number of images selected. If you have not officially decided how many images you would like displayed, what type of book and the size of the book, you may want to look at the available options to help with your decision.  
  5. In the book selection area, choose the type of book, size, page finish and number of sides from the corresponding drop-down menus.  
  6. If more than one proof book display options are available, they will be displayed. You can click on any one displayed to view a preview. If there are more than one option, please click on the one that you would like.  
  7. If you would like to add any of the available Layout Options, to display the filename of each image, apply a keyline to each image or to have each page have a black background, click the box next to the desired option(s).  
  8. Review the Distribution information.  
  9. Once you are satisfied, click 'OK.'  
  10. Select a folder to save your design templates in (or create a new one and select it) and click 'Choose.'  
  11. When the process has finished, a dialog box will appear letting you know a Proof Book layout was created successfully. Click 'OK!'  
       

Resize Book Design

  1. If you would like to create a new layout of the same design, but with different book properties, click 'Resize Book Design.'
  2. Select the book file you would like to replicate the design of by clicking 'Browse,' selecting the book file and then click 'Choose.'
  3. Review the current book file details.  
  4. Select the desired book type, size, page finish and number of sides for your new book layout. You will notice that some of your options may be limited do to the inability of the application to properly convert some designs to others (ie. converting from a smaller book to a larger book, converting from a square to a vertical format, etc.).  
  5. Click 'OK.'  
  6. Select a folder to save your design templates in (or create a new one and select it) and click 'Choose.'  
  7. When the process has finished, a dialog box will appear letting you know a resized layout has completed successfully. Click 'OK!'  
       
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